article
Hunting and nuclear families: some lessons from the Hadza about men's work
Current anthropology • 42 (5) • Published In 2001 • Pages: 681-709
By: Hawkes, Kristen, O'Connell, James F., Blurton Jones, N. G. (Nicholas G.).
Abstract
This article seeks to explain why the Hazda—and similar hunting and gathering societies—display a gendered division of labor in which men hunt and women gather. The analysis begins by considering the theory that human ecological and behavioral evolution favored wives and children depending on husbands and fathers for providing game. In testing this theory, however, the authors observed that Hadza fathers did not preferentially give meat to their own nuclear family. Instead, big game meat was always distributed among all band members and visitors. The authors argue in favor of a broader explanation that includes cultural meanings that define hunting as a more prestigious activity, enabling hunters to enjoy additional entitlements, including influence over other people within the domestic group and beyond.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2019
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Eastern Africa
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Biological Anthropologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem; 2018
- Field Date
- 1985-1986, 1988, 1989
- Coverage Date
- 1985-1989
- Coverage Place
- southeastern Lake Eyasi area, Tanzania
- Notes
- by K. Hawkes, J.F. O'Connell, and N.G. Blurton Jones
- Comments by: Duran Bell (p. 695-696) -- Rebecca Bliege Bird and Douglas W. Bird (p. 696-697) -- Raymond Hames (p. 697-698) -- Paula K. Ivey (p. 698-699) --Alexander Kazankov (p. 699-700) -- Monica Minnegal (p. 700-701) -- Craig Stanford (p. 701) -- G.W. Wenzel (p.701-702) -- Reply (p. 702-705)
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 705-709)
- LCCN
- a 63000576
- LCSH
- Hatsa (African people)